Other names

How is it used?

Heroin is usually injected into a vein, but it’s also smoked (‘chasing the dragon’), and added to cigarettes and cannabis. The effects are usually felt straight away. Sometimes heroin is snorted – the effects take around 10 to 15 minutes to feel if it’s used in this way.2

Effects of heroin

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. It's important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Heroin affects everyone differently, based on:

Size, weight and health

Whether the person is used to taking it

Whether other drugs are taken around the same time

The amount taken

The strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch)

The following effects may be experienced and last for 3 to 5 hours:

Intense pleasure and pain relief

Relaxation, drowsiness and clumsiness

Confusion

Slurred and slow speech

Slow breathing and heart beat

Dry mouth

Tiny pupils

Reduced appetite and vomiting

Decreased sex drive1,2

Injecting heroin and sharing needles may also cause:

Tetanus

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

HIV/AIDS1,2

If a large amount or a strong batch of heroin is consumed the following may be experienced:

Trouble concentrating

Falling asleep (‘going on the nod’)

Wanting to urinate but finding it hard to

Itchiness

Irregular heartbeat

Cold, clammy skin

Slow breathing, blue lips and finger tips

Passing out

Death1,2

Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) reverses the effects of heroin, particularly in the case of an overdose. Naloxone can be administered by authorised medical personnel such as ambulance officers. Family and friends can also administer naloxone if they join one of the trials taking place in Australia.3

Coming down

In the days after heroin use, the following may be experienced:

Irritability

Depression1,2

Long-term effects

Regular use of heroin may eventually cause:

Intense sadness

Irregular periods and difficulty having children (females)

No sex drive (males)

Constipation

Damaged heart, lungs, liver and brain

Vein damage and skin, heart and lung infections from injecting

Needing to use more to get the same effect

Dependence on heroin

Financial, work or social problems1,2

Using heroin with other drugs

The effects of taking heroin with other drugs – including over-the-counter or prescribed medications – can be unpredictable and dangerous, and could cause:

Heroin + ice, speed or ecstasy: enormous strain on the heart and kidneys, and increased risk of overdose.4

Heroin + alcohol, cannabis or benzodiazepines: breathing may slow and eventually stop.4

Withdrawal

Giving up heroin after using it for a long time is challenging because the body has to get used to functioning without it. Withdrawal symptoms usually start within 6 to 24 hours after the last dose and can last for about a week – days 1 to 3 will be the worst. These symptoms can include: